Esteemed Madam President, distinguished
members of European parliaments, ladies and gentlemen, may I first
and foremost voice my thanks to you, Mrs Fischer, for the invitation
to speak before this prestigious forum. Today, one year after the
Union of Democratic Forces won the elections and formed a government,
I am highly honoured and privileged to address you, the representatives
of the European nations in the Parliamentary Assembly of the oldest
European intergovernmental organisation. At the turn of a century
which is particularly sensitive to symbols the Council of Europe
symbolises the political principles of a state which is committed
to the rule of law, representative democracy and respect for human
rights as well as the centuries-old European system of values.

It is precisely because we are at the turn of a century which
divides Europe that the challenges of the coming century stand out
in bold relief. Probably “Europe” is the unrivalled word that is
pronounced in this hall most often and with the greatest hope. Probably
everyone in this hall believes that “Europe” will be the key word
in the coming century. The Bulgarian Government and the Bulgarian
public cherish the same hope. However, today when Kosovo hits the
headlines of European newspapers, I remember that on 9 November
1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, the American journalist Robert
Kaplan wrote from Kosovo to describe his vision of the replacement
of the ideological wall dividing eastern and western Europe by a
cultural wall that was to separate Europe from the Balkans.

If the word “Europe” is to be the key word in the coming century
we have to prevent the erection of such a wall. The fortitude that
Bulgarian civil society demonstrated in the winter of 1997 and the
support that my government gets for the radical reforms to be implemented
gives me reason to think that the wall of no reform and neocommunist
arrogance that was fencing Bulgaria off from democratic Europe from
1993 to 1996 has been demolished. However, other walls remain to
be demolished.

The challenges of changing Europe redefined, among other things,
the mission of the Council of Europe and made it a symbol of European
universality. The first summit in 1993 defined the new priorities
of this Organisation by the notion of “democratic security”. The
notion of “democratic security” assumes, in addition to growing
security as democracy expands geographically and new democracies
emerge, the strengthening of European security as the process of
democratisation in each country deepens. Free elections cannot sufficiently
guarantee that a system is democratic. We all witness cases when
freely elected governments infringe citizens’ freedoms and violate
the principles of constitutionality. The choice that the Balkans
are facing today is to prevent the imposition of an oligarchic or
populist regime typical of which is that the time-honoured democratic
instruments like the referendum are resorted to in order to foster
ethnic intolerance and safeguard personal rule. In that sense democratic
culture is the best indicator of the irreversibility of democracy.
I am glad that the second summit in October 1997 mapped out the
strategy of the European culture of democracy for the twenty-first
century.

The action plan included as a feature of this culture the
Bulgarian initiative on educating citizens with a view to raising
their awareness of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic
society. We expect this initiative to be furthered and concretised
through an efficient follow-up. We believe it is necessary because
for many years the totalitarian regime emphasised the citizens’
obligations while it ignored basic human rights and freedoms. This
policy resulted in the distortion of the criteria of indivisibility
and interdependence of rights and responsibilities inherent in every
democratic civil society. We see the consequences today in acts
of intolerance, insufficient respect, and even neglect for democratic
institutions, growing crime in general and organised crime in particular.

The absence of adequate democratic culture and the neglect
for the indivisibility of rights and responsibilities of citizens
are not characteristic only of eastern Europe; these affect the
whole continent. Examples to that end are the manifestations of
racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and exacerbation of inter-ethnic
problems. In its capacity as architect and defender of democratic
security, the Council of Europe is called upon to react to these disturbing
phenomena, and to undertake adequate measures by enhancing the role
of education for democratic citizenship. It is not sufficient for
citizens to have rights; citizens should know these rights in order to
be capable of defending them.

Throughout the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria
was labelled an “island of stability” The United Nations-imposed
embargo on the former Yugoslavia turned Bulgaria into an island
indeed, by closing many of the country’s economic routes to Europe.
Today, the economic and political opening of the region is crucial
for us. The real integration of the Balkans into Europe means, first
and foremost, the establishment of sound economic relations, the
influx of sizeable capital and the transformation of the region
into an infrastructure and energy centre which is open to the Middle
East, central Asia and the Caspian Basin. Our government perceives a
geopolitical role for our country in the Balkans in transforming
the region, which is a potential generator of tensions and conflicts,
into a zone of security and stability and a gateway to Europe.

Bulgaria has undertaken a series of steps in its foreign policy
in order to strengthen peace and security in south-eastern Europe:
participating in and playing host to meetings of the ministers of
defence, transport and energy, initiating trilateral meetings on
different levels – including top level meetings – between Bulgaria,
Romania and Greece, as well as between Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.
These trilateral meetings are dedicated to specific problems, for
instance, combating organised cross-border crime. These endeavours
of Bulgaria in multilateral regional co-operation have already produced
results: for the first time, states of south-eastern Europe, at
the initiative of Bulgarian diplomacy, reacted promptly and concertedly
to a crisis development in the Balkan region. I have in mind the
joint declaration of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria,
Romania, Greece, Turkey and Macedonia on the situation in Kosovo
adopted on 10 March 1998. The declaration proposed specific measures for
overcoming the crisis and was supported by the Contact Group. Perhaps
it won’t be an exaggeration to call this initiative an historic
stride forward for the states of the region, that, for the first
time after many decades have come up with an agreed common stand
on a problem which affects the destinies of the region. The declaration
will serve as a basis for the joint concerted action of states in
the region in tune with the actions of the international community,
the United States, the European Union and the Contact Group at later
stages of the Kosovo crisis. Bulgaria stands ready and will play
an active role to settle the Kosovo crisis. We are convinced that
if south-eastern Europe were to become a generator of instability
again, this would inflict strategic damage to the economic reforms
in our countries too.

A proof that the crisis can be overcome was the joint statement
of the countries of south-eastern Europe, including Albania and
Slovenia, at their meeting in Bonn on 25 March 1998. Thus the countries
of south-eastern Europe reaffirmed their readiness to play an immediate
role in the search for a solution to the Kosovo problem and to participate
in regular consultations with the Contact Group.

Ladies and gentlemen, please note the fact that our “bridge-building”
between countries in the region has only been a metaphorical expression
up until now. If we are to avoid what our countries suffered during
the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and if we are to give democracy
and reform a chance, we have to start building material bridges.
The second bridge across the river Danube on which the Bulgarian
Government insists is one of the shortcuts to pulling us out of
the crisis. We are convinced that we will receive your active support
for the construction of the bridge.

The world has witnessed Bulgaria’s active foreign policy over
the past year. The result is clear: it is the internal political
stabilisation of Bulgaria and the broad support of the parliamentary
forces for the priorities reflected in the Declaration on National
Salvation adopted in May 1997. The world should know that for the
first time since democratic change in Bulgaria began, there has
been real and effective interaction between the democratically-elected
institutions in Bulgaria – the President, the National Assembly
and the government. The new national security policy approved by
the Bulgarian Parliament at Easter, which was supported by more than
three-quarters of our MPs, is the most vivid proof that the overwhelming
majority of people are in favour of change in Bulgaria, and the
name of that change is Europe and the Atlantic community. Last year
the Parliamentary Assembly heard a statement by the President of
Bulgaria, Mr Petar Stoyanov, in which he stressed that Bulgaria
is not the country it used to be. Today I would like to assure you
that Bulgaria is in better shape politically than before, is economically
stable and is undergoing a process of radical reforms.

The application for European Union and Nato membership was
Bulgaria’s natural and conscious choice of the civilisation to belong
to. The Bulgarians are returning to Europe.

European Union and Nato membership is not an end in itself
but the only way to bring Bulgaria economic prosperity, sustainable
development and security.

While we are bringing the national legislation into line with
European standards, we are also creating the necessary enforcement
mechanisms. Our new law-making activity codifies the civil, political,
economic, cultural and social rights of the people and provides
the legal guarantees that these rights will be respected. We are
making great efforts to improve administrative and judicial practices
in that field and greatly appreciate the recommendations and advice
that international organisations offer to us. In this context, I
wish to point out the great importance that we attach to the Council
of Europe programme for co-operation with the countries of central
and eastern Europe with its specific measures for sharing experience
in legislation and in administrative and judicial practices.

In the context of these processes I would like to draw your
attention to the comprehensive administrative reform launched by
the Bulgarian Government last year with the ultimate objective of
establishing a modern administration which is up to the highest
standards of European democracies. The European legal integration programme
that has been created with the assistance of the Council of Europe
is in operation. We have speeded up the reform of the armed forces
by considerably enhancing civil control over their activities and adjusting
their structure to the evolving situation in our continent.

One of the most visible aspects of the work of the Bulgarian
Government is fighting the crime which increased considerably in
the period from 1993 to the end of 1996. I can safely say that we
have made considerable progress in this area in the last twelve
months. The Bulgarian Government is making every possible effort,
in accordance with the principles of democracy, to secure the protection
of citizens from any encroachments on their personal safety, the
security of their property and their legal rights. A number of statutory
acts have been adopted or amended, specifying the functions and
prerogatives of individual government agencies in the fight against
organised crime, corruption and money laundering. It can safely
be said now that the “marriage” of economic and political power
in Bulgaria has been prevented. The unprecedented economic and political
crisis that held the country in its grip when we took office had
two interrelated characteristics: hyperinflation and excessive corruption.
However, the attempts of certain economic groups to control the
country’s economic and public life from the back-stage are a thing
of the past. A lot more remains to be done to curb corruption and bring
more transparency, but excessive corruption in Bulgaria no longer
exists.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bulgaria is a party to the principal
human rights instruments. Last October in Strasbourg, the President
of Bulgaria signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention
on the Protection of National Minorities. We will actively continue
to build on developments in the field of human rights according to
the Council of Europe’s standards. We support the proposal to establish
the post of a human rights commissioner whose independence and objectivity
will ensure considerable progress in the enforcement of the principal
European conventions.

I would like to emphasise our conviction that reinforcing
the effectiveness of European conventions is linked to securing
reliable monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of commitments
undertaken by the Council of Europe member states. Taking into account
the need for improving the monitoring procedure in the framework both
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Committee
of Ministers, we support a broader exchange of views and information
between the structures of those two bodies of the Council of Europe;
however the procedure should not be limited solely to the region
of eastern Europe. Confidence in the strict implementation of conventions
and aspirations towards a full observance of commitments will be enhanced
if we succeed in applying the principle of equality to the maximum.

The role of non-governmental organisations in carrying out
the activities and programmes of the Council of Europe is growing.
They, as part of the evolving Bulgarian civil society, are conducive
both to the more effective protection and encouragement of human
rights and to the comprehensive development of democracy and democratic
institutions in our country. In this context, public awareness of
human rights is becoming ever more important. Full information on
human rights and basic freedoms is one of the principal conditions
for their effective implementation and protection. Bulgaria is taking
specific measures to familiarise the public with all international
human rights organisations and their instruments. The numerous specialised
non-governmental organisations which have emerged in Bulgaria in
the course of the democratic changes are making an active contribution
to that education programme Bulgaria now has ongoing cooperation
programmes with a number of international non-governmental human
rights organisations. It is a strategic priority for our government
to be open to civil society. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe is the ideal place to share my deep conviction that a
democratic state committed to the rule of law is the most effective
human rights organisation. What the totalitarian state and the weak
state have in common is that the law does not govern the people.
Over the past year, our government has set itself the main objective
of bringing the state back to the people. I think that we have largely
done that.

May I in conclusion say that the Council of Europe has a vast
mission, which is to guard and develop the vision of twenty-first
century Europe. I am convinced that the Bulgaria which we are trying
to build is part of that vision.

We get to
the issue of Mr Rostov. A number of Assembly members have expressed
a wish to ask questions, and I remind them that questions must be
limited to thirty seconds. Colleagues should ask questions and not
make speeches. To ensure that as many members as possible are able
to ask a question and receive an answer, I do not propose to allow
supplementary questions. The first question is from Mr Biihler.

Mr BÜHLER (Germany) (translation)

Prime Minister,
you mentioned the two conferences on the crisis in Kosovo held by the
south-eastern European states on 10 and 25 March. I should like
to ask you what possibilities the Bulgarian Government sees for
a solution to the problem of Kosovo and to what extent the Bulgarian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is participating in international efforts
outside these conferences to arrive at a joint solution there. How do
you assess the calls for independence we are now hearing from certain
groups in Kosovo?

Mr DINÇER (Turkey)

What is the current
state of co-operation between Balkan countries? Mr Prime Minister,
what role do you think that the Balkan countries can play in the
peaceful settlement of the Kosovo problem?

Mr RADIC (Croatia)

What is your
opinion on the current situation in Kosovo and the region? It is
obvious that we are faced with the strong oppression by Serbia’s
military power in Kosovo, where we know that hundreds of people
were killed. That is classic genocide.

Mr DOKLE (Albania) (interpretation)

asked how the
Balkan countries could best co-operate to solve the Kosovo problem.

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that the Bulgarian Government
was trying hard to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Kosovo.
Its neighbours in the former Yugoslavia should understand the common
position of the Balkan countries on this question. The declaration
of 25 March was their way of tackling the problem, and the people
in Kosovo had welcomed it.

The best way of looking at the question of the independence
of Kosovo was within the framework of the former Yugoslavia, by
giving a measure of autonomy back to Kosovo. Balkan countries could
assist in this process because they understood the problems of the
region. They could help by framing resolutions. Their policy was to
prevent fresh sanctions, which harmed everybody in the region.

Mr RUFFY (Switzerland) (translation)

I would first
of all like to express the gratitude of the peoples represented
in the Council of Europe for your country’s efforts to find a peaceful
solution in Kosovo, particularly its initiatives towards the countries
you mentioned.

Could you clarify for us the concept of “broad autonomy”?
Do you have any specific details to give us to ensure that this
autonomy is accepted by the parties involved and constitutes the
peaceful solution we wish to see?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that he could not define
the formula exactly. If a solution was to be achieved, the parties
would have to find their own way to an agreement. He fully supported
the Contact Group formula for broad autonomy within Yugoslav borders.
He understood the difficulties faced by the Yugoslav Government,
and was trying to understand both sides. A constructive dialogue
was needed.

THE PRESIDENT

Thank you.
Mr Glotov is not present, so I call Mr Kotlar from “the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia”.

Mr KOTLAR (“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”)

Bulgaria was the first country to recognise the Republic of
Macedonia’s constitutional status, but our bilateral relationship
has not reached the expected level. What can the Bulgarian Government,
with its European orientation, do to promote relations with the
Republic of Macedonia?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that Bulgaria wanted to assist
in the process of integrating the Republic of Macedonia into European
structures, following the same path as Bulgaria in terms of economic reforms,
to allow integration into the global economy. Progress had been
made and continued to be made in bilateral relations between the
two countries.

Mr SCHWIMMER (Austria) (translation)

Thank you, Madam
President. Prime Minister, following the elections in 1997 and the
formation of a new government by the Union of Democratic Forces,
success has been achieved in restoring internal stability to Bulgaria
and in bringing about a consensus between parties on the measures necessary
to overcome the crisis and your priorities for national development.
You have spoken yourself of a strategic majority for taking the
path to Europe.

I should like to ask you how that was achieved in the space
of six months after the previous disputes.

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that the National Assembly
had adopted a declaration on national salvation, which set out as
national priorities the achievement of membership of the European
Union and Nato.

Other priorities were the battle against organised crime,
the establishment of a monetary authority, and pursuing a sound
economic policy which was supported by the electorate. This support
had been demonstrated in the 1997 elections. A reforming majority
now existed in support of the President. For example, the National Assembly
had adopted the government’s ' national security strategy by a large
majority.

Mrs POPTODOROVA (Bulgaria)

In the early
1990s, the new democracies were rather cautious about developing
relations outside the European Union because they feared that that
might delay their accession to the European Union. Fortunately,
that misunderstanding has been overcome. Obviously, Bulgaria has
become more visible in its area. What specific political and economic
steps does the government intend to take in the near future in its
own area?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that the most important measure
which was required was a plan for the Danube in co-operation with
Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. This should be designated a trans-

European network and would mean that these countries were
no longer open to blackmail by Yugoslavia. In addition, all the
countries in the region wished to stamp out drug trafficking and
smuggling and Bulgaria was keen to create a military force to do
this.

Mr IWINSRI (Poland)

Mr Prime Minister,
during the last month, your government has been aiming to step up the
process of privatisation, as well as to attract foreign capital.
However, so far only about US$1 billion has been invested in Bulgaria.
To what extent can those measures improve the position of the 80%
of the population of Bulgaria who, according to the latest World
Bank data, live below the poverty line?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that an unstable political
situation would always make it difficult for a country to attract
foreign capital. Bulgaria was therefore concentrating on achieving
economic stability. It was improving its infrastructure, and promoting
gas, roads and telecommunications projects. Bulgaria also hoped
that it would soon be transporting oil, which would assist in the
country’s economic development.

Mr GJELLEROD (Denmark)

Last year the
Bulgarian Government decided to dismiss a number of diplomats and
civil servants from the administration. I ask you, Mr Prime Minister,
whether those dismissals from the Bulgarian administration will
continue, and also whether they were strictly motivated by economic
necessity or politically motivated.

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that the administration had
had to be cut to comply with the IMF’s requirement that Bulgaria
should reduce its administration costs. It was for this reason that
15 000 people had been dismissed. However, individuals who did not
share the aim of achieving economic stability might also be required
to leave.

Mr TAHIRI (“The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia")

Honourable Premier, the Framework Convention on the Protection
of National Minorities had been signed by your President. When can
we expect its ratification by your parliament, and the implementation
of the principles set forth by the Bulgarian authorities?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said that he expected that the
Bulgarian Parliament would ratify the Framework Convention on the
Protection of National Minorities. This was a subject with which
the parliament was already concerned. As regards languages, Bulgaria
did not have the problems faced by some other countries in the region
and facilities were available for everyone to study in their mother
tongue.

THE PRESIDENT

I will take
the last two questions together, although they are on a broad-ranging
point. First we shall hear Mr Dumitrescu, then Mr Lopez Henares.

Mr DUMITRESCU (Romania) (translation)

My question concerns
an environmental issue and calls for a major political and economic
decision. The Kozoluy nuclear power plant is of the same type and
generation as Chernobyl. It poses a threat to the environment and
security of countries in the region.

Prime Minister, my question is very precise. When do you intend
to shut down this nuclear power station?

Mr LOPEZ HENARES (Spain)

Mr Prime Minister,
like many others, I was very disappointed when Bulgaria was not
included in the group of countries selected to start negotiations
for the enlargement of Nato. What action is your government taking,
and what do you expect to do in the near future, to make Bulgaria
ready to become a member of that important security system for Europe
very soon?

Mr Kostov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (interpretation)

said, in answer to the question
by Mr Dumitrescu, that the nuclear reactor at Kozoluy was not of
the same type as the reactor at Chernobyl. It had been modernised
a number of times in recent years and controls there were overseen
by international organisations. The reactor could continue to function
for a number of years.

In answer to Mr Lopez Henares, he said that membership of
Nato was very important for the democratisation of Bulgaria, as
it would guarantee the stability of the country. The government
had developed a national security blueprint, it had reformed the
Bulgarian army, and it had overhauled the way in which it protected
its borders. He hoped that when Bulgaria joined Nato it would not
only tap that organisation’s resources but would also contribute
to security. Reform of the army would also help the Bulgarian economy.

THE PRESIDENT

That brings
the questions to Mr Kostov to an end. I thank him warmly, on behalf
of the Assembly, for his speech and his answers.